Returnees Abound for Providence Catholic

Optimism reigns supreme in the preseason, and the most common variety of that optimism is fueling girls basketball practices at Providence Catholic right now.

"I'm cautiously optimistic. They're working hard and they're getting a lot of reps," Celtics girls' coach Eileen Copenhaver said. "I only have 10 on the team, but I like my 10."

The Celtics went 17-13 last season and return their leading scorer plus a bevy of seniors with plenty of varsity seasoning. Junior Cassidy Glenn led the way offensively with 13.3 points per game last year, and her 6.0 rebounds per game leads all returning players.

"She's athletic, she can play inside and outside, and she's good in the open court," Copenhaver said. "She's just a good athlete. She knows the game and does a good job of working with her teammates."

A trio of seniors in Danielle Barry, Emily Persak, and Megan Hettinger are seasoned veterans. Barry will play for Division II power Central Missouri next year and has been a varsity fixture since being pulled up her freshman year at Providence.

"She has played a lot of minutes for us," Copenhaver said. "She's 6-2, she's lean and lanky, and she can run the floor. Playing all year round has helped her tremendously, playing with the (Illinois) Wolverines and (coach) Ron Newquist. Her scoring ability has really  improved."

In Persak, the Celtics have a third-year varsity player that can score off the dribble and shoot from long range, while Hettinger is the team's Miss Versatility.

"She's probably one of our best all-around players," Copenhaver said. "She does all the little things well. She can shoot, defend, pass, and she's a great team concept player. I hope she and Emily (Persak) can get some college interest this year because I know they'd both like to continue playing."

Rachel Novak, a senior transfer from Lockport, will be eligible to play for the Celtics after Christmas break. She'll play at Danville Community College next year and figures to be a nice post-holiday addition.

"She'll help in the post, she's a rebounder, she defends the post and has a nice 15-foot jumper," Copenhaver said. "She's a very sound player."

Junior guard Katie McGann and sophomore guard Alex Shermulis will play key roles as playmakers. "Alex will likely be our starting point guard, but I expect a lot from both of them. Alex has unbelievable court vision and Katie can shoot the basketball," Copenhaver said.

The Celtics went 5-5 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference last season, finishing in the middle of the pack in the 10-team ESCC.

Conference foes like Fenwick, Marian Catholic, Benet, St. Viator and Marist battle-test themselves against top competition each year, and Copenhaver aims to have her girls do the same.

The Celtics open the season on Nov. 16 at home against Naperville Central. They'll play in the Naperville North/Benet Invitational over Christmas break, taking on quality competition in York, Glenbard West, Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville North.

 "If we're going to be in the ESCC, those are the kinds of teams that the other teams in our conference compete against," Copenhaver said. "We went 5-5 in conference last year and that was our best conference finish. So you have to figure out how they're doing it.

"All I know is every year it's a beast. The talent in our conference is always wicked. Even the games that are supposed to be easy aren't easy. I think it's going to take a little bit of time for people to step into their roles, but overall we have nice players and a strong team this year."